Applying the Salt

Ramsay, Peter

According to a leading hypertension expert, Dr. Stephen Havas, of the University of Maryland Medical Center, 150,000 Americans die annually from too much salt in their diet. Research says adults in North America ingest, on average, nearly 4,000 mg of sodium every day. That far exceeds the recommended upper daily limit of 2,400 mg of salt.

But really, your daily salt intake is none of my business. That is something you should discuss with your nutritionist or cardiologist – or at least with your family doctor.

From a spiritual perspective, the Lord Jesus said to His disciples:

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matt 5:13, ESV).

Most of us know that salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). Most of us know what salt can be used for, but the Lord Jesus wants our consideration of His statement, “You are the salt of the earth” to go beyond the technical aspect of salt. He wants the statement to impact our own lives at a deeply spiritual level.

Have you ever considered the connection between yourself and the salt metaphor? Below are some pointed personal questions for you to consider. It would be a healthy exercise for every reader to kneel by a chair today in the Lord’s presence and to quietly consider each of the six questions.

Salt is a preservative. What am I doing to preserve those in the community who are at risk or are perishing? Am I doing my part to preserve them and protect them from danger, risk, and ultimately, eternal punishment?

Salt heals wounds, cankers, and sores. Yes it might hurt and sting, but salt helps cankers. What am I doing to heal the wounds and hurts in the neighborhood?

Salt creates thirst. Farmers want their cows to lick the blocks of salt in their fields so they will drink plenty of water to remain healthy. Is my lifestyle creating a thirst for Christ?

Salt melts ice. It is an ice cold world out there. What am I doing to melt the ice in people’s lives?

Salt adds a positive flavor. What flavor am I adding to conversations with friends and neighbors?

Salt must be applied to have its impact. Salt’s impact is not felt in the shaker. It must come out before it does its work. It is wonderful for us to be enjoying Christ in private, but if it is solely private and kept within the shaker – the real impact of my Christian life will not be realized.